pick (UP) of the week: The annual Earth Day cleanup has become the largest community service project in Minneapolis. Last year, more than 2,000 volunteers descended on city parks and other public areas, where they picked up more than 4 tons of garbage. For this year's Earth Day, which is Saturday, projects are scheduled at 30 locations all around the city (for a complete list, go to bit.ly/1HNdT95). No preregistration is required; all you need is a pair of gloves and a willingness to pitch in. You can participate as part of a group or all by yourself. The cleaning starts at 9:30 a.m., with a goal of being done by noon. Volunteers will be on hand at all the sites to help direct you.
Cheat sheet: Tuesday is tax day. Here's some trivia to mull over while you're scrambling to make the deadline.
• There are 480 forms that can be downloaded from the IRS website. If you also were to download the directions for each form and all of their accompanying schedules, you'd end up with 1,132 new files. Better check your computer's memory space first.
• Texas exempts cowboy boots from sales tax, but not other footwear.
• The Beatles' "Taxman" likely is the best known tax-related song, but it's hardly the only one in the genre. Your last-minute-tax playlist also could include "1040 Blues" by Robert Cray, "Taxman, Mr. Thief" by Cheap Trick, "After Taxes" by Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson's album "The IRS Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories?" (Actually, the IRS imposed liens on almost all of Willie's belongings, but that's another story.)
Day by day: To thine own self be true, but come Sunday methinks thou shouldst spakest like the Bard for national Talk Like Shakespeare Day.
recommended reading: There's a plethora of Prince memorial events on tap this week, but you don't need to miss any of them. Check out our guide to everything Paisley on page E3.
JEFF STRICKLER • jeff.strickler@startribune.com
